Closed cylinder housing for intaglio printing presses



April 27, 1954 A. P. BAMFORD cLosED CYLINDER HOUSING FORr INTAGLIo PRINTING PRESSES original Filed June 23. 1949 12 Sheets-Sheet l mwN.

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April 27,Y 1954 A. P. BAMFoRD 2,676,538

CLOSED CYLINDER HOUSING FOR INTAGLIO PRINTING PRESSES Original Filed June 23. 1949 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 April 27, 1954 Original Filed June 23, 1949 A. P. BAMFORD CLOSED CYLINDER HOUSING FOR INTAGLIO PRINTING PRESSES l2 Sheets-Sheet 5 April 27, 1954 A. P. BAMFoRD 2,676,538

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cLosED CYLINDER HOUSING EOE INTAGLIO PRINTING PRESSES Original Filed. June 25. 1949 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 April 27, 1954 A. P. BAMFORD CLOSED CYLINDER HOUSING FOR INTAGLIO PRINTING PRESSES original Filed June 23, 1949 l2 Sheets-Sheet 10 vv ...rb f

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April 27, 1954 A, P. BAMFoRD 2,576,538

CLOSED CYLINDER HOUSING FOR INTAGLIO PRINTING PRESSES Original Filed June 23, 1949 12 Sheets-Sheet l1 April 27, 1954 A. P. BAMFoRD 2,675,538

CLOSED CYLINDER HOUSING FOR INTAGLIO PRINTING PRESSES Original Filed June 23, 1949I l2 Sheets-Sheet l2 fmy Patented Apr. 27, 1954 CLOSED CYLINDER HOUSING FOR INTAGLIO PRINTING PRESSES Arthur P. Bamford, East Orange, N. J., assignor,

by mesne assignments, to E. G. Staude Manufacturing Company, Inc., Concord, N. H., a corporation of New Hampshire Original application June 23, 1949, Serial No.

100,890. Divided and this application July 5, 1951, Serial No. 235,301

15 Claims.

1 This invention relates generally to` intaglio printing presses and this application is a division of my co-pending application Serial No. 100,890, led June 23, 1949, and issued May 5,

Acylinder and is controlled by a manually operable hand wheel which is accessible from the iront of the machine. The printing cylinder is vdriven from a main drive shaft which runs along the back of the machine and drives all of the units. The connection to the main drive shaft is made through suitable running register control mechanism in the form of planetary gearing which provides an accurate control of the run- 1953, as Patent No. 2,637,270. More specically 5 ning register of the cylinder. the invention relates to an improved housing by The doctor blade is slidably supported on and which various parts of an intaglio printing press extends between the front and rear frames of are enclosed during operation. the machine and is provided with manual means As disclosed herein the invention is shown as :for vertically adjusting the same, with autoapplied to a multicolor intaglio printing press l0 matic reciprocating means driven by the main consisting of two identical units each of which drive shaft for reciprocating the doctor blade, is adapted to print a different color on a web with a tilting control for varying the angular being fed through the press. Each unit composition of the doctor blade on the carriage, prises a printing cylinder, an inking mechanism with adjusting means for shifting the doctor by Which ink s sprayed Onto the printing Cylblade to or from the printing cylinder so as to inder, a doctor blade mechanism by which the position the same accurately in contact with ink iS Spread over the printing cylinder, an adthe surface of said cylinder, and with means for jutable Pressure 1011 by Which the Web S held adjusting the position of the blade in the holder. against the printing cylinder during printing Means is also provided for allowing the blade to and a drying and exhaust mechanism for drying be retracted from the cylinder and to be again the ink 0n the Web after Dlnllgbrought into operative position without disturb- The printing cylinder is mounted on a caring the previous adjustments. ringe which is supported by wheels riding on a The pressure roll is designed to hold the web track which facilitate the removal thereof from in engagement with the printing cylinder during the machine. The carriage includes bearing the printing operation and is mounted to be blocks which are insertable in the frame of the advanced or retracted as desired without altermachine and Support the Weight of the prnting the web tension and without changing the ing cylinder when the carriage is in printweb feed to or from the unit. ing position. A hand ratchet mechanism is pro- The drying mechanism includes a drying vided Which may be used to ratchet the car- 50 chamber through which the printed web passes ringe into or withdraw the carriage from its and which is mounted on the top of the press printing DOSOD- When the Carriage is withframe with downwardly extending portions at Ldrawn sufciently to remove the bearing blocks the two sides of the frame forming a hood. from the frame it rests 011 its rollers and may The drying chamber includes suitable heating readily be moved out of the press. elements and a blower for blowing air against The Carriage also Carries ink applicator tubesl the printed web. A suction fan is also provided WhCh are dSDOSed 0n OPDOSte Sides of the for removing the vapor laden air from the web printing Cylinder and are independently adjllStand discharging the same in a suitable location. able to accommodate cylinders of different di- The printing cylinder except the small printameters. An ink reservoir is mounted 0n seio- 40 ing area thereof under the pressure roll, the inkarate casters and is positionable to Supply ink ing mechanism and the doctor blade mechanism to the applicator tubes through the coupling are all enclosed during operation by a housing members which are automatically separated which constitutes the subject matter of this apwhen the reservoir is removed. The reservoir plication. The housing is so constructed and carries an ink feed pump and adjusting valves arranged that it can be quickly and easily opened for controlling the supply of ink to the respective up to provide access to the various mechanisms tubes. adapted to be enclosed thereby. When closed The carriage also carries an end register conthe housing provides a substantially air tight trol mechanism which provides for accurate adchamber for `confining the iniiammable vapors justment of the axial position of the printing created by the highly volatile inks used today in high speed intaglio printing presses.

The principal object of the invention is to provide in an intaglio printing press improved means for enclosing the entire inking mechanism thereof during operation,

Another object of the invention is to provide enclosure means of this character which is of simple construction, is efficient in operation and which can. be quickly and easily opened up to provide access to the various mechanisms adapted to be enclosed thereby.

Other and more limited objects of the invention will be apparent, from the following specication and the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a multicolor intaglio press embodying the present invention, showing two of the color units and the drive mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the units shown in Fig. 1 with the heating and drying mechanism of one of the units broken away;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of a single unit taken on a larger scale;

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of a unit taken the right side of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a unit taken from the left side of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the unit of Fig. 3 with the heating and drying unit removed;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation, similar to Fig. 4, partially in section and showing the printing cylinder carriage partially removed from the press onto the dolly by which it is transported to and from the press;

Figs. 8a, 8b and 8c, when joined along the lines a-a and b-b, respectively, constitute a central vertical section through the machine taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 4 but on a larger scale;

Fig. 9 is a detail section taken on the line 9--3 of Fig. 8b;

Fig. 10 is a detail view partly in section showing the latching mechanism for the slidable side closures by which the inking mechanism is closed when in operation;

Fig. 11 is a horizontal section taken on the line II-II of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a vertical section showing the web tensioning mechanism;

Fig. 13 is a detail view of the latching mechanism for latching the pressure roll in up position;

Fig. 14 is a vertical section taken on the line I4-I4 of Fig. 13, and

Fig. 15 is a detail section view taken on the line 15- I 5 of Fig. 12 but on an enlarged scale.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the invention is shown as applied to an intaglio printing press composed of two units A and B, each of which is adapted to print one color onto a web. Each unit includes a printing cylinder together with inling and control mechanism, a doctor blade mechanism, a web-guiding mechanism and a drying chamber. A single driving means is provided for all of the units which includes power means and drive shafts which extend in back of all of the units.

Referring to the figures more in detail, a web I is shown as fed to the unit B over guide rollers 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 to a pressure roll 1, thence through a drying chamber and over guide rollers 8 and 9 and around the guide roll 2 of the unit A, thence over the correspondingly numbered rolls of the unit A from which it is discharged over a guide roll I similar to the roll 2, thence over a roll I I in a pulling mechanism I2, whence it is discharged to suitable cutting or stacking mechanism or to a reeling mechanism as desired.

Each drying chamber I5 which is disposed over the tcp of the printing unit comprises a heatfrom ing source I6 which may comprise a steam heating unit and blower mechanism comprising a fan I1 driven by a motor I8 and discharging air through a port-J I9 into a zone 23 in which the air is applied to the top of the web passing through the chamber I5. rEhe zone 20 also communicates wtih chambers 2i and 22 which are disposed on the sides of the machine to apply air from the blower I I to the webs as they advance toward and recede from the drying chamber I 5. The air from the web I, containing the vapors which are picked up thereby, is removed from the chambers 2l and 22 and from the zone 23 by means of a suction fan 23 communicating with a duct 24 which extends through and communicates with each of the drying chambers I5. The vapor-laden air from the exhaust fan 23 may be discharged to the outside or to a ventilator as desired. The exhaust fan 23 is driven by means of a motor 25 through a driving belt 26 which in turn drives a shaft 2T on which the exhaust fan is mounted.

The various units are driven by means shown as a main drive motor 28 driving a reduction gear train in a housing 29 through a multiple V-belt 33. The reduction gear in the housing 23 drives the main drive shaft 3I and a secondary drive shaft 32. The main drive shaft 3| extends along the rear of the various units and serves to drive the various printing rolls through means to be described. The secondary drive shaft 32 drives a reduction gearing mounted in a housing 33' which in turn drives a secondary drive shaft 34 which extends along the rear of the units and drives the paper feed mechanism (not shown). The gear reduction mechanism in the housing-29 includes a clutch of any standard type which is actuated by a clutch lever 35 supported in suitable brackets on a pedestal 3?. The lever 36 is adapted to control the operation of the main drive shaft 3| and the secondary drive shaft 34 and is mounted in a position readily accessible to the operator.

Figs. 3 to 6 illustrate the general arrangement of each unit. Referring to these figures, each unit comprises a front frame 40 and a rear frame 4I on which the various elements, including the printing cylinder, are mounted. The frames 40 and 4I are secured on longitudinal channel members 43 and 44, respectively, and are tied together at their tops by cross beams 45. A top frame, comprising front and rear members 46 and 4l which are secured at one end to the top of the front and rear frames 4D and 4I and are supported at their other ends by uprights 48 which are also secured to the longitudinal channel members 43 and 44, is provided. The channel members 43 and 44 are tied together by spaced cross members 4S to provide a rigid unit.

A platform 5!! secured between the front and rear frames 43 and 4I supports the printing cylinder carriage 55, to be described. The hydraulic control mechanism for the pre-ss is mounted in a casing 5I attached to the front frame piece 40.

The roll 2 is mounted on suitable brackets 52 carried by the channel members 43 and 44. The rolls 3 and 4 are supported by the brackets 53 and 54 on the uprights 48. The rolls 8 and 9 are rotatably supported between the longitudinal members 46 and 41. The roll 5 is supported, in suitable bearings, between frames 4IJ and 4I. Guide roll 5 and pressure roll 'I are mounted on suitable slides 6I] and 6I which are supported on the front and back frames 40 and 4I, respectively, for vertical slidingI movement, so that the rolls 6 and 1 are raised or lowered in unison to bring the pressure roll 1 into printing position or to retract the same from the printing cylinder. An ink reservoir generally indicated by the numeral 63 is detachably connected to the front frame 40. The reservoir 63 carries a suitable pump mechanism which is driven by a motor 64. The reservoir also carries a valve housing and connecting means, generally indicated at 65, by which ink is supplied to and removed from the inking mechanism.

The running register |56 through which the printing cylinder is driven from the main drive shaft 3|, is mounted in a suitable casing which is attached to the rear frame 6|. The secondary drive shaft 34 extends through this casing but is not connected to any of the mechanism therein. Flexible cover plates 58 and 69, shown inFigs. 4, 5, 8b and 8c, respectively, are slidably mounted between the front and rear frames 40 andl 4| and are adapted to form side closures for the printing cylinder, inking mechanism and doctor blade mechanism. These flexible plates are mounted for sliding movement to aord access to the printing cylinder and associated mechanisms.

Referring to Figs. 8b and 8c, each of the ilexible plates 68 and S9 is provided with a plurality of angle irons 1|! which extend thereacross at spaced points. Rollers 1i are carried at each end of each of the angle irons 1li. The rollers 1| which are carried with the plates S8 ride on tracks 12 which are attached to the front and back frames l0 and fil. The rollers 1| associated with the plate 69 ride on tracks 13 which are also carried by the front and back frames 40 and 4|. The lower ends of the track 13 are turned inwardly under the inturned lower ends of the track 12 to :provide sufiicient space to receive the cover plates when they are in fully opened position.

One of the angle irons 10 of each of the cover plates 68 and 69 carries at each end thereof a clamping means comprising an arm 14 pivoted to the angle iron 1|] at 15 and having a bifurcated end 16 which spans the track 12 0r'13. Adjacent the bifurcated end 16 a hardened insert 11 is provided having a sharp edg-e 18 and secured by a set screw 19. The insert 11 is located in a position to grip the track 12 or 13 and is norr mally held in gripping position by means of a spring 80. The levers 14 are so positioned that they allow the cover plates |58 and 69 to be raised into closed position but automatically grip the tracks 12 and 13 to prevent the cover plates from sliding to open position. However, the cover plate is freely slidable to open position when the two levers are grasped and the free ends thereof rocked toward the supporting angle iron for retracting the sharp edges 18 of the inserts '|1 from the track 12 or 13. The plates B8 and 69 have sufficient flexibility to follow the curvature of the track as the plates are raised or lowered.

The pressure roll slides 60 and 6| which are mounted for vertical sliding movement on suitable gibs bolted or otherwise secured to the front and rear frames 4B and 4|, are provided with transverse webs 8E which are secured to piston rods 85 projecting from cylinders 36, the details of which may be of standard construction and are preferably arranged for the raising or lowering of the piston rods by the application of i'luid pressure above or below the piston inlet and outlet ports Bland 88, respectively. .The cylin- 6 ders 8G are attached by bolts 90 to the cross piece 45 of the frame.

At its lower end each of the slides 60 and 6| carries a bearing S2 which rotatably supports the pressure roll l. The slides 6|) and 6i also carry brackets and 96, respectively, for supporting a shaft 91 on which the roll 6 is rotatably mounted. One end of the shaft 91 is pivotally supported on the bracket 96 by means of a pin 9B. The other end of the shaft S1 is adjustably supported by the bracket S5 by means of a threaded shaft 98a journalled in a bracket S9 attached to the bracket 95 and extending through a threaded hole iii@ near one end of the shaft 91. A handle Il is provided for rotating the shaft 98a and a set screw |02 is provided for securing the threaded shaft 98d in adjusted position. The arrangement is such that actuation of the handle i0! varies the angularity of the shaft 91 and of the roll 6 for controlling the feed of the web.

In order to cause the slides 6G and 6I to operate in unison and thereby prevent any binding, the slides 59 and El are provided with racks |33 and |34, respectively, at their lower ends meshingwith gears |55 and HiB which are .carried on opposite ends of a shaft m1 journalled in the front and rear frames 40 and 4|, respectively. The shaft |51 and the meshing gear teeth cause the slides 5G and 5| to operate in unison. However, in order to provide a certain clearance to permit the pressure roll 1 to adjust itself to the position of the printing cylinder when the pressure roll is in its lower position, the teeth at the upper portions of the respective racks 03 and 3M are made with more than normal clearance.

In order to provide a mechanical latch to prevent the slides Sii and Si from drifting downwardly due to loss of hydraulic pressure when in raised position, a ratchet llt is secured to the shaft |231 adjacent the gear |65 and is engaged by a pawl iii carried by an arm H2 pivoted to the frame 4!) or" the machine at H3 and normally held in engagement with the ratchet by a spring H4. The arm H2 may be raised by a pin I 5 which is pivoted to the end of the arm l2 at H6 and rests in a. cup |51 formed in a piston H8 which is slidably mounted in a cylinder H9. Hydraulic pressure is supplied to the lower end of the piston ||8 by means of -a duct |2il which is also connected to the line leading to the port 88 so that pressure is applied beneath the piston H8 whenever pressure is applied above the pistons in the cylinders 86 for lowering the slides Bil and 6|. In the absence of pressure in the lines leading to the ports B8 and in the line |28 the spring H4 causes the pawl to engage the ratchet |||l and thereby prevent rotation of the shaft |61 in the direction to lower the slides Si) and 6|. Whenever pressure is applied to the cylinders 35 for lowering the slides, however, pressure is also applied to the cylinder H9 for releasing the pawl iii. A vent |2| may be provided in the wall of the cylinder H9 to drain any fluid which may leak past the piston IIB from the pressure chamber therebelow.

The printing cylinder is mounted in a carriage 55 which comprises a front plate |25 and a back plate |26 joined by side plates i2?. Spacer bars |28 are attached on the inside of the side plates i217 with their lower ends extending slightly below the bottoms of the side plates. The spacer bars |28 carry lower side plates |29 which extend nearly to the bottom of the end plates and are joined by a bottom plate |30. A plurality of wheels |3| are attached to the lower side plates |29 by means of studs |32. In the form shown three wheels |3| are spaced along each side of the carriage.

The back plate |25 is bolted to the lower half |33 of a split bearing block |34. The outer peripheral surface of the bearing block |34 is cylindrical and seats in a. cylindrical surface |39 in the rear frame 4|. The bearing block |34 is slidable axially with the carriage 55 into the rear frame 4|.

The other end plate |25 of the carriage is bolted to the lower half |55 of a rectangular bearing block l?. The bearing block |51 is slidably mounted in a rectangular opening 68 in the front frame Si! and is provided with flanges |62 and Il by which it is positioned in the frame. The front plate |25 is provided with a rectangular ink return opening registering with an opening in the bearing block I5?. The sides and bottom of the bearing block |51 may be tapered slightly to facilitate its insertion into the rectangular opening It in the front frame 58.

The bearing blocks |34 and |51 carry antifriction bearings in which the printing cylinder shaft |35, on which the printing cylinder |66 is removably secured, is mounted. The shaft |55 is driven from the main drive shaft 3| through the running register mechanism 66. An end register mechanism |61 secured to the bearing block |51 is provided to adjust accurately the position of the printing cylinder |536 between the .bearing blocks |34 and |51.

rIhe carriage 55 also carries an ink sump which consists of a bottom pan |68 and vertically advinstable side plates l 69. The side plates |69 carry ink applicator tubes i'iil which extend parallel to and the full length of the printing cylinder |66. Ink is pumped from the reservoir 63 through the connector 55 and into the applicator tubes |10 which spray the ink over the surface of the printing cylinder |66 as it rotates. The excess ink falls into the sump pan |68 and drains back into the reservoir S3 through the ink return openings in the plate |26 and bearing block |51 and the connector 65.

In order to close the space between the ends of the printing cylinder and the front and back frames it and dl, arcuate shields |15 and |16 are provided which are bolted, respectively, to bear- L ing blocks |51 and |36. The shields |16 and |15 are provided with arcuate lower surfaces which are accurately machined and overlie the ends of the printing cylnider |55 and engage the peripheral surface thereof with a running t. Of course the shields and |16 are changed when different sized cylinders are used. The shields |15 and |16 cooperate with the sliding cover plates t8 and 59 to enclose completely the printing cylinder and inking mechanism except for the limited area of the printing cylinder which is required to be exposed for contact with the web passing around the pressure roll l'. The upper edges of the cover plates 63 and 69 are shaped to engage the shields |15 and |16 which form a limiting stop and are spaced a minute distance from the peripheral surface of the printing roll.

Whenever it is desired to change a printing cylinder the ink reservoir 63 is first removed and then the printing cylinder carriage 55 and everything carried thereby is rolled out onto a dolly |85, as shown in Fig. 1, on which the carriage can be transported to any desired place.

A doctor blade mechanism, generally indicated by the numeral |11, is mounted between the side frames 40 and 4l along one side of the printing cylinder carriage within the confines of the flexible cover plate S9. The mechanism generally comprises a vertically adjustable slide |18 on which is mounted a reciprocal platform |19. The platform carries a tiltable frame on which is adjustably mounted a doctor blade holder |8| carrying a doctor blade |82. The platform |19 is reciprocated by the main drive shaft 3| through suitable driving connections |83.

By particular reference to Figs. 4, 5, 8b and 8c it will be apparent to those skilled in this art that I have provided a very simple and effective housing for enclosing the printing cylinder, the inking mechanism and the doctor blade mechanism of an intaglio printing press, and for preventing the escape of highly inflammable ink vapor. It will also be apparent that this housing is so constructed and arranged that it can be quickly and easily opened up to provide access to the various mechanisms adapted to be enclosed thereby.

It is to be understood that I am not limited to the specific construction shown and described herein as various modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An intaglio printing press comprising a pair of end frames, a shaft carrying an intaglio printing cylinder journalled in said end frames, and a closed cylinder housing comprising end closures carried by said frames, a bottom platform extending between said end closures and transversely beyond the sides of said cylinder, and nexible side closures extending between said end frames and slidable vertically on opposite sides of said platform, guide means carried by said end frames from adjacent the top of said cylinder to below the sides of said platform forming an at least partly arcuate path for said side closures whereby said flexible side closures may slide into and out of sealing relationship with said cylinder on opposite sides of the printing area thereof.

2. An intaglio printing press comprising a pair of end frames, a shaft carrying an intaglio printing cylinder journalled in said end frames, and a closed cylinder housing comprising end closures carried by said frames, a bottom platform extending between said end closures and transversely beyond the sides of said cylinder, and flexible side closures extending between said end frames and slidable vertically on opposite sides of said platform into and out of sealing relationship with said cylinder on opposite sides of the printing area thereof, tracks on said frames slidably carrying said side closures, said tracks extending in an at least partly arcuate path from a position overlying said cylinder downwardly past the sides of said platform, whereby said side closures may be brought into sealing relationship with said cylinder or retracted to expose the sides to provide access to said cylinder.

3. An intaglio printing press comprising a pair of end frames, a shaft carrying an intaglio printing cylinder journalled in said end frames, and a closed cylinder housing comprising end closures carried by said frames, a bottom platform extending between said end closures and slidable side closures extending between said end fra-mes and slidable vertically on opposite sides of said platform, said side closures having members to nt in sealing relationship with said cylinder on opposite sides of the printing area thereof, tracks on said frames slidably carrying said side closures, said tracks extending from a psition overlying said cylinder downwardly past the sides of said platform, whereby said side closures may be brought into sealing relationship with said cylinder or retracted to expose the sides to provide access to said cylinder, the lower ends of` said tracks overlapping beneath said platform to receive said side closures when retracted.

4. An intaglio printing press comprising a pair of end frames, a shaft carrying an intaglio printing cylinder journalled in said end frames, and a closed cylinder housing comprising end closures carried by said frames, a bottom platform extending between said end closures and transversely beyond the sides of said cylinder and slidable side closures extending between said end frames and slidable vertically `between guide means carried by said end frames and extending from a position overlying said cylinder in an at least partly arcuate path downwardly on opposite sides of said platform into and out of sealing relationship with said cylinder on opposite sidesofthe printing area thereof, said side closures being flexible and adapted to follow a non-linear slide path.

5. In intaglioprinting press comprising a pair of end frames, a shaft carrying an intaglio printing cylinder journalled in said end frames, and a closed cylinder housing comprising end closures carried by said frames, a bottom platform extending between said end closures and transversely beyond the sides of said cylinder, and flexible side closures extending between said end frames and slidable vertically on opposite sides of said platform into and out of sealing relationship with said cylinder on opposite sides of the printing area thereof, tracks on said frames slidably carrying said side closures, said tracks extending in an at least partly arcuate path from a position overlying said cylinder downwardly past the sides of said platform, whereby said side closures may be brought into sealing relationship with said cylinder or retracted to expose the sides to provide access to said cylinder, and releasable gripping members mounted on said side closures and arranged to grip said track for holding said side closures in closed position.

6. An intaglio printing press comprising a pair of end frames, a shaft carrying an intaglio printing cylinder journalled in said end frames, and a closed cylinder housing comprising end closures carried by said frames, a bottom platform extending between said end closures, and transversely beyond the sides of said cylinder and ilexible side closures extending between said end frames and slidable vertically on opposite sides of said platform into and out of sealing relationship with said cylinder area on opposite sides of the printing area thereof, tracks on said frames slidably carrying said side closures, said tracks extending in an at least partly arcuate path from a position overlying said cylinder downwardly past the sides of said platform, whereby said side closures may be brought into sealing relationship with said cylinder or retracted to expose the sides to provide access to said cylinder, releasable gripping members mounted on said side closures and arranged to grip said track for holding said side closures in closed position, said members being spring pressed into 10` gripping position and being automatically releasable in response to movement of said side closures in closing direction.

7. An intaglio printing press comprising a pair of end frames, a shaft carrying an intaglio printing cylinder journalled in said end frames, and a closed cylinder housing comprising end clossures carried by said frames, a bottom platform extending between said end closures and transversely beyond the sides of said cylinder, and flexible side closures extending between said end frames and slidable vertically on opposite sides of said platform into and out of sealing relationship with said cylinder on opposite sides of the printing area thereof, tracks on said frames slidablyL carrying said side closures, said tracks extending `in an at least partly arcuate path from a position overlying said cylinder downwardly past the sides of said platform, whereby said side closures may be brought into sealing relationship with said cylinder or retracted to expose the sides to provide access to said cylinder, releasable gripping members mounted on said side closures and arranged to grip said track for holding said side closures in closed position, said members being spring pressed into gripping position and manual handles positioned and connected to release said -members in response to pressure exerted in closing direction.

8f An intaglio printing press comprising a pair of end frames, a shaft carrying an intaglio printing cylinder journalled in said end frames, and a closed cylinder housing comprising end closures carried by said frames and spaced axially from the ends of said cylinder, arcuate top closures carried by said end closures and overlapping the ends of said cylinder, a bottom platform extending between said end closures and transversely beyond the sides of said cylinder, and flexible side closures extending between said end frames and slidable vertically between guide means carried by said end frames and extending from a position overlying said cylinder in an at least partly arcuate path downwardly on opposite sides of said platform into and out of sealing relationship with said top closures and with said cylinder on opposite sides of the printing area thereof.

9. An intaglio printing press comprising a pair of end frames, a shaft carrying an intaglio printing cylinder journalled in said end frames, and a closed cylinder housing comprising end closures carried by said frames and spaced axially from the ends of said cylinder, arcuate top closures carried by said end closures and overlapping the ends of said cylinder, a bottom platform extending between said end closures and transversely beyond the sides of said cylinder, and flexible side closures extending between said end frames and slidable vertically between guide means carried by said end frames and extending from a position overlying said cylinder in an at least partly arcuate path downwardly on opposite sides of said platform into and out of sealing relationship with said top closures and with said cylinder on opposite sides of the printing area thereof, said top closures having bottom shoulders spaced from the end of said cylinder to provide clearance for axial adjustment thereof.

l0. An intaglio printing press having a pair of spaced end frames, a shaft carrying a printing cylinder journalled in said end frames, a platform extending between said end frames below said printing cylinder and transversely beyond the sides of said cylinder, and a housing comprising a pair of flexible closure plates extending between said end frames, one of said plates being slidably mounted on each side of said platform for vertical sliding movement into and out of sealing relationship with said cylinder on opposite sides of the printing area thereof, tracks on which said closure plates are slidably mounted secured to said end frames, said tracks extending in an at least partly arcuate path from a position overlying said cylinder downwardly past the sides of said platform, whereby said closure plates may be brought into sealing relationship with said cylinder or retracted to provide access to said cylinder.

11. An intaglio printing press having a pair of spaced end frames, a shaft carrying a printing cylinder journalled in said end frames, a platform extending between said end frames below said printing cylinder, and a housing comprising a pair of flexible closure plates extending between said end frames, one of said plates being slidably mounted on each side of said platform, and each of said closure plates being provided with means to t in sealing relationship with said cylinder on opposite sides of the printing area thereof, tracks on which said closure plates are slidably mounted secured to said end frames, said tracks extending from a position overlying said cylinder downwardly past the sides 12 of said platform and then inwardly under said platform in overlapping relationship, whereby said closure plates may be brought into sealing relationship with said cylinder or retracted under said platform to provide access to said cylinder.

12. An intaglio printing press as defined in claim l0 in which means is provided to releasably hold said closure plates in adjusted position.

13. An intaglio printing press as defined in claim 10 in which releasable gripping means is mounted on said closure plates and arranged to grip said tracks and hold said closure plates in adjusted positions.

14. An intaglio printing press as defined in claim 10 in which said closure plates are provided with a plurality of spaced parallel horizontal strengthening bars.

15. An intaglio printing press as defined in cla-im 14 in which rollers are mounted on said strengthening bars in position to engage said tracks.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,115,725 Koch May 3, 1938 2,226,311 Klinger Dec. 24, 1940 2,227,616 Wolf Jan. '7, 1941 2,506,011 Caulfield May 2, 1950 

